Britannica 2001 offers updated articles and media, more options for creating reports, and direct links to Britannica.com features. The 2001.1 release includes  the ability to resize the program window and search palettes, the ability to change article text size, and a new automatic update feature.  

This Readme answers your questions about the Britannica 2001 setup in the following sections:

      Upgrade Offers
      System Requirements
      Software Installed
      Video Settings
      Installation Options
      Starting the Program
      Internet Explorer
      Internet Access
      Trouble Displaying or Playing Media
      Other Known Problems
      Technical Support

Refer to the Britannica 2001 Installation Guide for step-by-step instructions. When you see this Readme at the end of the setup procedure, choose File and Print to print it or File and Exit to close the window.


Upgrade Offers

To see additional exciting products offered by Britannica, follow these simple instructions.
1. After installation is complete, navigate to My Computer.
2. Right-click on your CD-ROM drive and select Open, then open folder Offers.
3. Click on Upgrade.html.


System Requirements

For success in running Britannica 2001, your PC system should meet the following minimum requirements. The recommended requirements give better performance (and more enjoyment).

      Microsoft® Windows® 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me,
      or Windows NT® 4.0
      Pentium® 133 MHz or higher processor
      32MB RAM minimum; 64MB recommended  
      90 MB free hard-disk space (plus 50MB for IE 5.01)
      CD-ROM drive
      SVGA monitor/display card, 800x600, 16-bit color
      Mouse
      Printer recommended
      Internet access recommended*

      *See "Internet Access" below.  

      Notes: Windows NT systems must have Service Pack 5 installed.
      CD-ROM carousels are not supported.



Software Installed

The following software components are installed as part of the Britannica 2001 setup if they are not found on your system:

      Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.01*
      Support for Visual Basic 6.0 runtime
      Microsoft Java Virtual Machine
      Windows Media Player
      Sun Microsystems Java Classes

      * See "Internet Explorer" below.


Video Settings

Make sure your system Display Properties are set to 16-bit color or better and 800x600 resolution or better. You can check this by opening the Windows Start menu and choosing Settings, Control Panel, and Display. The installation procedure will not proceed if these requirements are not met.


Remove Previous Versions

Before installing Britannica 2001, we recommend removing previous versions of Britannica CD. To keep an older version, direct the Britannica 2001 setup to a different directory. Keep in mind that your new 2001 version will update and add to the old articles and will include more media. Not all special features have been retained.

To remove a previous version, use the Windows Start menu to choose Settings and Control Panel. Double-click Add/Remove Programs, select the older Britannica CD version, then click Add/Remove.


Installation Options

The Britannica 2001 setup procedure provides three options: Typical, One Disc, or Complete.

Typical
The Typical option installs the Britannica 2001 program on your hard drive. After installation, you will need the Data disc to access all features when you run the program.

Compact
The Compact installation in this version is the same as Typical.

Complete
The Complete option installs the Britannica 2001 program and all data files on your hard drive so that you will not need the Data disc to run the program.

Hard Disk Space
The Britannica 2001 setup attempts to track whether or not you have the required disk space for a Complete setup choice. However, since hard drives store data differently, the program can't always be accurate. Make sure that you have free hard disk space above and beyond the suggested requirement to avoid problems.


Starting the Program

Britannica 2001 Setup installs the program and program icons in a Program Files\Britannica\2001 directory, unless you choose another location. You can start Britannica 2001 by opening the Start menu and choosing Programs, Britannica, and Britannica 2001. In addition, a Britannica 2001 shortcut icon is provided on your Windows desktop; double-click it to run the program.


Internet Explorer

Britannica 2001 requires a subset of the Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 browser and certain Internet Explorer browser plug-ins to run. If the Britannica 2001 setup does not detect the components it needs on your hard drive, it includes them with the installation.

Your Internet Settings Are Not Affected
If you already use Internet Explorer as your web browser, your application will be updated to version 5.01, unless you direct the setup to a different directory. This should not affect your dial-up or e-mail settings. If you use a browser other than Internet Explorer, the components installed by Britannica 2001 setup will not interfere with your current Internet settings. You can continue to use your current web browser as always.

Trouble Upgrading to Internet Explorer 5.01
If the Britannica 2001 Setup failed to upgrade your version of Internet Explorer to version 5.01, try running the Internet Explorer installation separately before you install Britannica 2001. Look for the IExplore folder on the Britannica 2001 Installation disc and run ie5setup.exe.


Internet Access

Internet access is not required to use the CD-ROM encyclopedia. However, to take full advantage of searching with Britannica.com and to discover related Internet sites as you work,  we highly recommend going online. To go online, you need to acquire an Internet Service Provider. Providers may be included with your Windows setup.

Directing Internet Explorer to dial the Internet
If you are not connected to the Internet when you select an online feature, Britannica 2001 itself does not launch a dialup connection, but rather relies on Internet Explorer's dialup connection setting. You can add a connection in Internet Explorer so that you are connected to the Internet when you attempt to go online.
1. Open Internet Explorer separately.
2. Open Tools menu and select Internet Options.
3. Click the Connections tab.
4. Select your Internet Access dial-up program.
5. Select Always dial my default connection and click OK.


Trouble Displaying or Playing Media

Images Not Shown
Britannica 2001 depends on Internet Explorer being able to "show pictures."  If you are having trouble displaying images or playing media in Britannica 2001, open the Internet Explorer Tools menu, select Internet Options, and choose Advanced. Click the Restore Defaults button to ensure that you have the correct settings.


Other Known Problems

Research Assistant Help
In this version of Britannica 2001, opening the Help on Research Assistant causes the Research Assistant window to go behind the Britannica 2001 window. To improve this situation, open the Britannica 2001 Edit menu, select Preferences, and click to uncheck "Search Palette windows float above main window." This allows you to click on the Research Assistant window, then on the Help window, and get the expected window order.  A second solution is to close the Help window, minimize the Britannica 2001 window, then request Help again from the Research Assistant menu.

Research Assistant Citations
In this version of Research Assistant, to select a note citation form, you must click and hold down the mouse button as you select "Internet/URL," "Book," "Periodical," or another type of citation.

Outlook Express Printing
If you experience a problem printing from Microsoft Outlook Express after installing Britannica 2001, try updating Outlook Express. Visit the download area of www.microsoft.com and download the latest update to Outlook Express.

Data Errors
With over 44 million words we've tried to make it perfect, but there still remain errata in the data, both in display and in hyperlinks. There may only a handful of errors among over 1.4 million links, but these will be corrected. Updates will be available from the Britannica.com Technical Support area.


Technical Support

For technical support, go to the Britannica CD-ROM Support web site at  http://www.britannica.com/techsupport.

Note: This Readme will be displayed for printing at the end of the setup procedure.

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